Here is just one example of how you and the girls could set up your troop year.
Hold a parent/guardian meeting.
Open a checking account, if needed.
Register all the girls in the troop.
Meet together for the first time, allowing the girls to decide how they can learn each others’ names and
find out more about each other.
Kick off a Leadership Journey with the opening ceremony recommended in the first sample session, or a
trip or special event that fits the theme. Have the girls brainstorm and plan any trip or event.
Enjoy the full Journey, including its Take Action project.
Along the way, add in related badge activities that girls will enjoy and that will give them a well-rounded
year.
Have the girls plan, budget for, and “earn and learn” in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Help girls plan a field trip or other travel opportunity.
Encourage girls to plan a culminating ceremony for the Journey, including awards presentations, using
ideas in the Journey girls’ book and/or adult guide.
Pre-register girls for next year.
Camp out!
Participate in a council-wide event with girls from around your region.
Have the girls plan and hold a bridging ceremony for girls continuing on to the next Girl Scout grade level.
The end of the troop year doesn’t have to be the end of a girls’ time with Girl Scouting, or the end of your time
with girls. Some girls may no longer have time for a full-year commitment and will be unsure what’s next for
them. Others won’t be able to imagine their lives without this same group of girls. Here’s how you can best
reengage your troop:
Some girls may want other options besides troops. That’s okay—Girl Scouts offers many ways to
participate. Talk to girls about day and residence camp, travel opportunities, series offerings, and events
your council may offer. Older girls, especially, enjoy these shorter-term, flexible ways to be Girl Scouts.
Some girls will be excited to bridge to the next grade level in Girl Scouting, and will look to you for
guidance on how to hold a bridging ceremony. Even if you’re not sure of your continued participation
with Girl Scouts (and we hope you will find lots of exciting ways to be involved, even if leading a troop no
longer fits your life), be sure to capture their excitement and work with them to a plan a meaningful
bridging ceremony.
If you plan to stay with this troop, but some girls are bridging to the next grade level, talk to your council
about helping them decide how they’d like to continue in Girl Scouting—perhaps in series, events, or
travel!
Talk to girls about earning their Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards, which are opportunities for
them to make a dramatic difference in their communities—and to have plenty to brag about with college
admissions officers, too.
And what about you? If you want to stay with this troop, start working with them to plan their group activities
next year. And if you’re a little worn out but are interested in staying with Girl Scouts in other, flexible ways, be
sure to let your council know how you’d like to be a part of girls’ lives in the future. Are you ready to volunteer at
camp? Help organize a series or event? Take a trip? The possibilities are endless.
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